Response Msg #1323 Good Theology is not Reformed
Dear Bro. Rice,
I thought is was unique that you just sent out this penny pulpit. I've been deeling with this very thing. Is it not true that this “TULIP” doctrine came from Jerome a Roman Catholic and did not orginate from John Calvin? And there was no Calvinist doctrine amongst true Bible believers in early history was it? And what about Charles Spurgeon, Calvinists or no? Well anyway I'd appreciate anything else you have on Calvinism and any advise you'd be willing to give. God bless you Bro. Rice and your family!
Your missionary in ____________
Bro. _________ _____________
Dear Brother __________,
Thanks for writing with your concerns, it is good hearing from you. We have been in revival and faith promise meetings this week and have prayed for the Youall.
Your questions are well put.
Is it not true that this “TULIP” doctrine came from Jerome a Roman Catholic and did not orginate from John Calvin?
The T.U.L.I.P. model came from the Presbyterians via some counsel which was convened because the Armenians had contended Presbyterian error in 5 points. True, John Calvin never did hear of the model, much less make it. The model does, however, carefully outline John Calvin's doctrine.
And there was no Calvinist doctrine amongst true Bible believers in early history was it?
Although it would not be called Calvinism, the notion that God predetermines everything that ever happens to an individual, especially the circumstances of his death, originated in Roman Catholic Church Fathers of Alexandria Egypt. It got firmed up via Jerome's Latin Vulgate with three very bad 'P's -penance, priests, and predestination, which then got grounded in Roman Catholic Saint Augustine of Hippo's very bad doctrine. Since Catholic Doctrine contains a Covenant type Theology and its Replacement Theology, and since that theology claims that the Catholic Church is the new Elect of God replacing Israel as such, it is natural that John Calvin's Reformed Theology would be quite messed up concerning the elect, dispensationalism and God's promises to Israel. Short answer, yes it was around since Roman Catholic Church Father Saint Clement, 3rd century, but it was found in Roman Catholic history not in 'true believers' history.
And what about Charles Spurgeon, Calvinists or no?
Charles wrote a defense of Calvinism which basically states that he could never be an Armenian who periodically looses his salvation. He was, like so many unstudied Baptists, holding onto Calvinism so he would not be called Armenian. A studied Baptist will shed the name of Calvinist as soon as he understands the larger picture. Spurgeon, although a tremendous orator, was enamored with the genius of Saint Augustine and John Calvin, and would not cross his intellectual heroes, even in their most damnable heresies. Sounds like to many Baptist I know.
More detail is given in my attached book, and I will send you my other book under another letter. www.GSBaptistChurch.com/elect/election_predest_man.pdf
A whosoever will in Christ.
Ed
Brother _____________,
I do not mean to belabor you, but you can tell you have asked some questions with which I struggled for many a year before getting it all resolved in my head, and I appreciate that others have to resolve this issue for themselves. It naturally concerns me when so many Baptists are falling into lockstep with both John Piper and John Calvin.
My greatest enlightening came when I reasoned that God created man with his own individual sovereignty, which we sometimes call free-will, although it is not really completely free. That means that, although God knows all that is knowable, he does not know, in fatalistic certainty, the decisions you have yet to make. In your delegated 'sovereignty', you are 'free' to go any of a number of ways. I know my wife. I know what she is doing tomorrow, next week and next year, but not with fatalistic certainty. God knows us better than we know a spouse, be he does not know us with fatalistic certainty, i.e. our fate is not predestined, ergo, whosoever will may come. You will have to get to a similar understanding to grapple with the exactness of Scripture, the election of saints for service, (not of the lost for salvation) and the 'whosoever will' declarations of God. Let me know how you make out.
A bigger picture analysis of Reformed Theology and its error is attached. I think it should be owned by every Baptist, but I am somewhat bias toward the author.
At www.GSBaptistChurch.com/seminary/master_thesis/thesis_reformed.pdf
Ed
